Fence post driving apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for driving a post into the earth has a frame with an upright member in which the upright member has a slot extending longitudinally on a surface thereof, a receptacle translatably positioned in the slot, a hammer member translatably positioned in the slot of a location above the receptacle, a sheave affixed to the frame in a position above the hammer member, and a line affixed to the hammer member and extending over the sheave. The receptacle has an interior adapted to receive an upper end of the post therein. The line has an end opposite the hammer member adapted to be manually pulled so as to lift the hammer member upwardly and to be released so as to cause the hammer member to contact the receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for driving fence posts intothe earth. More particularly, the present invention relates to manuallyoperable fencepost driving apparatus in which a single person caninstall a fence post. Additionally, the present invention relates tofence post driving apparatus that can be secured to a vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

In farm lands and ranchlands, it is often desirable to install fencesthroughout the property. Fences are used to restrict the movement ofanimals on the property. Also, fences are often useful for voiding theintrusion of persons and animals onto the property. Often, these fencesextend in very remote areas on the property.

Typically, in order to install a fence post, a pair of workers travel toa location on the property. These workers will need a variety ofequipment and tools for the installation of the fence post.Additionally, the workers must also take a large number of posts withthem in order to complete the installation. Typically, these workers canuse wagons, trailers and ATVs in order to transport the equipment andfence posts to the desired location on the property.

For the installation of the fence post, typically, one worker will holdthe fence post upright on the earth while the other worker uses asledgehammer to continually contact the top of the post in order todrive the post into the earth. In other circumstances, it will benecessary to initially form a hole into the earth so that the lower endof the fence post can be placed in this hole. Also, various blocks orstructures are placed onto the top of the fence post so that the workerwith the hammer will have a relatively large area in which to contactthe upper end of the fence post while also preventing damaging contactwith the fence post.

The installation of such a fence post is very time-consuming, tiring andpotentially dangerous. In certain circumstances, one worker may misswith a swing of the sledgehammer and will injure the other worker. Sincetwo workers are required in order to install a fence post, this isrelatively expensive for the owner of the property to employ suchworkers. Additionally, a great deal of effort is required so as to liftthe fence post, position the fence post properly, and to swing thehammer. Also, a great deal of travel may be required in order to bringseveral fence posts to the desired location on the property. As such, itis desirable so as to minimize the amount of work required of theworkers in order to install the fence post. It is also desirable to havea full supply of fence posts available at the desired location on theproperty.

It is always desirable to install a fence post directly vertically intothe earth. However, when workers are required to install such fenceposts, the fence posts are often installed at an angle slightly cantedto vertical. As such, the wires or other structures extending betweenthe fence post may be uneven, slack, or loose. As such, a need hasdeveloped so as to be able to assure that the fence post is driven asnear to vertical as possible.

In the past, various patents have issued related to fence post drivingapparatus. These prior art fence post driving apparatus are verycomplicated, require a large number deal of components, such as motorsand sheaves, and are difficult to operate efficiently and effectively.For example, an early patent is that of U.S. Pat. No. 110,359, issued onDec. 20, 1870 to M. Havermale. This pile driver utilizes a suitableframework that can be loaded upon an ordinary wagon. At the front of theframe are a pair of guide posts that are hinged so that they can beraised to any angle and are properly braced when set up. A mainline isattached to a cap. The mainline passes downwardly and suspends a movablepulley. A shipping hook is installed on the end of the mainline so as toraise and drop a hammer. The line passes from the movable pulley overone fixed to the cap and then to a windlass or other source of power.The shipping hook is constructed that, by means of a cord, the hammer islet to fall from any desired elevation.

U.S. Pat. No. 502,075, issued on Jul. 25, 1893 to J. H. Hogg, shows apost driver that has a box, an inside bar, screw-shanked hooks, ahorizontal frame and a windlass that is connected with a hand-crankshaft by a clutch. The frame is pivoted to one end of another frame andcarries a pulley at the other end. A weight or hammer is connected by arope passing over the pulley to the windlass. The frame is provided withnotched adjustable braces.

U.S. Pat. No. 504,762, issued on Sep. 12, 1893 the H. Bobach, describesa fence post driver that can be combined with a wheelbarrow. There areupright posts pivoted to and supported on the wheelbarrow. A fallingweight is mounted to the upright posts. Stay-rods are hinged to thewheelbarrow and have hooks on their free ends. Lugs are fixed to thepost and provided with a plurality of apertures for taking the hooks ofthe stay-rods.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,399,190, issued on Apr. 30, 1946 to 0. D. Kelly, shows apost driving attachment for posthole diggers. This post drivingattachment is intended to be supported on a side of a tractor. Adriveshaft is enclosed in a housing. A drive pulley is connected to thedriveshaft to cause a rotation thereof. The pulley is connected indriving relation to a power unit of the tractor. A winding drum ismounted on the shaft. A clutch mechanism connects the drum and its shaftin driving relation. A cable is wound on the drum and extends up to oneof the pulleys across the tops of the pulleys and downwardly. A drivingweight is suspended from the end of the cable. A weight-guiding tube issupported by the gear housing so as to contain the weight.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,470,974, issued on May 24, 1949 to W. R. Boystun, showsa post driver that has a boom having a housing at one end and the pulleyrotatably mounted in the housing for supporting a hammer engaging line.A hammer guide frame has an upper portion and a lower portion. A hammeris slidably and non-rotatably mounted in the hammer guide frame. Ahand-receiving means is carried by the cage for retaining the same at aninclined angle relative to the ground surface which a post is beingdriven. The hammer guide frame is opened at one side so as to facilitatethe engagement with an existing fence wire during the driving of thepost.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,940,267, issued on Jun. 14, 1960 to G. F. Shaver, showsa post driver that has a vertically disposed carrier channel and rollermembers formed on each side of the carrier channel. An elongated H-beamhas oppositely disposed rails formed longitudinally within one side ofthe H-beam. A driving block is secured to the other side of the H-beam.The H-beam is mounted on the carrier channel so that the rails arevertically movable over the roller members. A vertically-movablehydraulic piston assembly is disposed in the carrier channel. The upperend of the piston is connected to the upper end of the hammer. Ahydraulic valve connects the piston assembly and is designed to connectwith a source of hydraulic pressure. The hammer is movable upwardly bythe piston assembly under hydraulic pressure. When the hydraulicpressure is released, the piston assembly is movable downwardly as thehammer drops by gravity as a dead weight to deliver a percussion forceto the fence post.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,949, issued on Mar. 27, 1962 to Eldridge et al.,shows a post driver which includes a vehicle, a support mounted withinthe vehicle, a guide plate, and a means mounted on the support forforcing the piston against the ground. This means include includes ahydraulic piston and a piston rod. The plate has a guide opening forreceiving one end of the post. A hammer is slidably mounted on thestandard. The hammer is actuated so as to apply hammer blows to the postfor driving the post into the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,635, issued in Jan. 14, 1964 to J. Deerkoski,teaches a self-propelled post driver. This post driver has asoft-propelled tractor having a chassis, an erect elongated mast, aswivel mounted to the lower end of the mast on the tractor chassis foruniversal movement with respect thereto, and controllably extensibleelongated elements having their longitudinal axes disposed insubstantially vertical planes oriented substantially at right angles toone another and passing to the longitudinal axis of the mast. Each ofthe elements has one end pivotally connected to the mast above the lowerend of the mast and the other end pivotally connected to the tractorchassis for adjustable pivotal movement of the mast with respect to thetractor. The boom is secured to the mast at an angle of 90°. A trolleyis mounted for movement along the length of the boom. A post drivingunit is connected the trolley. The post driving unit is rotatable withrespect to the trolley about a driving axis parallel to the length ofthe mast. The post driving unit includes a pneumatically actuatablejackhammer A cage is arranged to be driven by the hammer. The cage ismovable in a direction parallel to the driving axes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a post drivingapparatus that easily allows a post to be driven into the earth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a post drivingapparatus that facilitates the ability to quickly create fenceinstallations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a post drivingapparatus that facilitates the remote installation of fence posts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a post drivingapparatus that can be easily broken down into several pieces fortransportation and storage.

It is another object of the present invention provide a post drivingapparatus that is adaptable to various inclinations of the earth.

It is another object of the present invention provide a post drivingapparatus that assures the verticality of the driven fence post.

It is another object of the present invention provide a post drivingapparatus that avoids motors and complex equipment.

It is a further object of the present invention provide a post drivingapparatus that allows a single person to install fence posts.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a postdriving apparatus that is inexpensive, easy-to-use, and easy tomanufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the attached specification andappended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for driving a post into the earth.This apparatus includes a frame having an upright member, a receptacletranslatably positioned in a slot formed in the frame, a hammer membertranslatably positioned in the slot in a location above the receptacle,a sheave affixed to the frame in a position above the hammer member, anda line affixed to the hammer member and extending over the sheave. Theslot extends longitudinally on a surface of the upright member. Thereceptacle has an interior adapted to receive an upper end of the posttherein. The line has an end opposite the hammer member adapted to bemanually pulled so as to lift the hammer member upwardly and to bereleased so as to cause the hammer member to contact the receptacle.

In the present invention, the frame comprises a base and a supportmember. The upright member extends in transverse relation to the base.The support member is affixed to an end of the upright member oppositethe base. The sheave is mounted to the support member. The base has aninterior adapted to be attached to a tow hitch of a vehicle. The uprightmember is affixed to an end of the base opposite the tow hitch. A firstangle member has one end affixed to the base and an opposite end affixedto the upright member. A second angle member has one end affixed to thesupport member and an opposite end affixed to the upright member.

In the present invention, the upright member includes a first tubularmember affixed to the base and extending in transverse relation to thebase, and a second tubular member mounted in telescopic relation to thefirst tubular member so as to extend vertically upwardly relative to thefirst tubular member. The upright member further comprises a pinengageable with the first and second tubular members so as to fix arelative position of the second tubular member with respect to the firsttubular member. The slot is formed in the second tubular member. Thesupport member is affixed to a top of the second tubular member.

The post driving apparatus of the present invention further includes animpact surface affixed to a top of the receptacle. The hammer member istranslatable so as to impact this impact surface. This impact surfacehas a top surface having an area greater than an area of the top surfaceof the receptacle. The receptacle is open at a lower end thereof andclosed at an upper end thereof. The line extends vertically upwardlybetween the sheave and the hammer member.

This foregoing Section is intended to describe, with particularity, thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. It is understood thatmodifications to this preferred embodiment can be made within the scopeof the present claims. As such, this Section should not to be construed,in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the present invention. Thepresent invention should only be limited by the following claims andtheir legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the post driving apparatus inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the post driving apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between thehammer member and the operate member.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the post driving apparatus 10 inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention. The post drivingapparatus 10 includes a vehicle 12 having a tow hitch 14 at a lower endthereof, a frame 16 having an upright member 18, a receptacle 20translatably positioned in a slot of the upright member 18, a hammermember 22 also translatably and positioned in the slot of the uprightmember 18, a sheave 24 affixed to the frame 18 in a location above thehammer member 22, and a line 26 affixed to the hammer member 22 andextending over the sheave 24. The line 26 has an end 28 opposite thehammer member 22 that is adapted to be manually pulled so as to lift thehammer member 22 upwardly and be released so as to cause the hammermember 22 to move downwardly so as to contact the receptacle 20.

The vehicle 12 is in the nature of a pickup truck. As such, the bed 30of the vehicle 12 can be utilized so as to carry a large supply of fenceposts to a remote location on a property, such as a farm or a ranch. Thebed 30 of the vehicle 14 can also be used so as to contain the variouscomponents of the post driving apparatus 10 of the present invention. Assuch, the use of the vehicle 12 allows a very large number of fenceposts to be transported to a remote location on a piece of property. Asingle worker will have a complete supply of fence posts so as to meetthe requirements for preparing the construction of a fence at the remotelocation. The vehicle 12 further includes wheels 32 that are suitablefor our allowing the vehicle 12 to move along the earth 34. The use ofthe vehicle 12 further facilitates the ability to achieve verticalityfor a fence post 36. For example, if there is an inclination in theearth in the area where it is desired to install the fence post 36, thevehicle 12 can be suitably maneuvered so as to be level with the desiredorientation of the fence post 36.

The tow hitch 14 is in the nature of a conventional tow hitch. The towhitch 14 is typically a square tubular member that extends outwardly ofthe rear end 38 of the vehicle 12. The tow hitch 14 will extend ingenerally parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle12. Typically, the tow hitch 14 will also extend in parallel spacedrelationship to the earth 34.

The frame 16 includes a base 40, the upright member 18 and a supportmember 42. The upright member 18 extends in transverse relationship tothe base 40. The support member 42 is affixed to an end of the uprightmember 18 opposite the base 40. The sheave 24 is mounted to an undersideof the support member 42. It can be seen that the base 40 has aninterior as adapted to be attached to the tow hitch 40 of the vehicle12. The upright member 18 is affixed to an end of the base 40 oppositethe tow hitch 14. It can be seen that a pin 44 serves to fixedly securedthe base 40 of the frame 16 to the tow hitch 14. In this configuration,it is assured that the upright member 18 extends vertically above theearth 34. A first angle member 46 has one end affixed to the base 40 andan opposite end affixed to the upright member 18. A second angle member48 has one end affixed to the support member 42 and an opposite endaffixed to the upright member 18. Angle member 46 serves to distributeforces between the upright member 18 and the base 16. As such, this willmaintain the verticality of the upright member 18 in spite of any forcesthat might be applied to deflect the upright member 18 from its verticalorientation. Furthermore, the second angle member 48 is affixed to thesupport member 42 so as to maintain the structural integrity of thesupport member 42 upon the application of forces thereto caused by thepulling of the line 26 and the lifting of the hammer member 22. Onceagain, this uniquely serves to maintain the verticality of the uprightmember 18.

The upright member 18 includes a first tubular member 50 and a secondtubular member 52. The first tubular member has one end affixed to thebase 40 and extends in transverse relationship to the base 40. Thesecond tubular member 52 is mounted in telescopic relation to the firsttubular member 50 so as to extend vertically upwardly relative to thefirst tubular member 50. As used herein, the term “tubular” can bereferred to round tubulars and square tubulars. As can be seen in FIG.1, there is at least one pin 54 that is engageable with the firsttubular member 50 and the second tubular member 52 so as to fix aposition of the second tubular member 52 with respect to the firsttubular member 50. In FIG. 1, there are a plurality of holes formed inthe first tubular member 50 and which extend in vertically spacedrelation to each other along the length of the first tubular member 50.Similarly (although not shown in FIG. 1) the second tubular member 52will also include a plurality of holes formed through the wall of thesecond tubular member 52. As such, the second tubular member 52 can bemanually lifted to a desired elevation relative to the base 40 so atleast one hole of the second tubular member 52 is aligned with at leastone hole of the first tubular member 50. As such, the pin 54 can beinserted into these aligned holes so as to fix the elevation of thesecond tubular member 52 relative to the base 50. As used herein, eachof these holes can extend diametrically across from one another in eachof the tubular members. As such, the pin 54 can be inserted so as toextend entirely across the diameters of the tubular members. Thisrigidly and securely affixes the tubular members to each other.

Importantly, it is desirable to be able to fix the elevation of thesecond tubular member 52 with respect to the first tubular member 50.Under certain circumstances, the post 36 may have an extended length. Assuch, it would be desirable to maximize the elevation of the secondtubular member 52. In other circumstances, the fence post 36 may berelatively short. As such, in order to achieve the maximum efficiency ofthe post driving apparatus 10 of the present invention, it is desirableto be able to lower the second tubular member 52. Additionally, theelevation of the second tubular member 52 is also important so as tocreate a desired amount of force applied between the hammer member 22and the receptacle 20. For example, if the earth is relatively dense,compact, or hard, then the user of the apparatus 10 may desire toachieve a maximum elevation of the second tubular member 52. This willcreate a larger distance between the hammer member 22 and the receptacle20. As such, when the line 26 is released, the hammer member 22 willdrop and accelerate over a larger distance so as to create greaterforces upon the receptacle 24 for the driving of the post 36. Thisapproach, on the other hand, would require more effort on the part ofthe user in order to lift the hammer member 22 a greater distanceupwardly. On the other hand, if the earth is relatively soft, then thesecond tubular member 52 may be lowered so as to create a smallerdistance between the hammer member 22 and the receptacle 20. As aresult, less effort would be required so as to carry out the hammeringaction between the hammer member 22 and the receptacle 20. Under thesecircumstances, when the second tubular member 52 is lowered, the post 36can be driven more quickly and efficiently.

The receptacle 20 has an impact surface 56 formed on a top surfacethereof. This impact surface 56 can be a solid block of steel. As such,this will add additional weight to the top of the receptacle 20. Assuch, when the hammer member 22 impacts on the top surface 58 of theimpact surface 56, greater force is applied to the post 36. The topsurface 58 will have an area greater than the area of the top surface ofthe receptacle 20.

The hammer member 22 can also be a solid block of steel, lead or othermaterial. The hammer member 22, as will be described hereinafter, has aoutwardly extending portion received within a slot formed in a surface60 along a length of the second tubular member 52. As such, the upwardand downward movement of the hammer member 22 is effectively controlledby being restricted within the slot. The line 26 has one end connectedto an upper end of the hammer member 22. The line 26 extends verticallyupwardly therefrom and around the sheave 24. The sheave 24 is mounted toa underside of the support member 42 directly above the hammer member22. As such, this achieves a maximum amount of force when the line 26 isreleased. A grip 62 can be applied to the end of the line 26 so as tofacilitate the lifting and lowering of the hammer member 22. Grip 22 canbe in the nature of a handle, a ring, a bar, or other device which canbe easily gripped by a user. The line 26 can be a variety of structures,such as a rope, a wire, a cable, a wire rope, a chain, or similarstructure. The hammer member 22 should have a weight of greater thantwenty-five pounds. In the preferred embodiment the present invention,hammer member 22 will have a weight of twenty-seven pounds. This amountof weight has been found to be most efficient for the user since itmaximizes the amount of force applied to the receptacle 22 whileminimizing the amount of effort required by the user.

In FIG. 1, it is important to note that the variety of componentsassures the verticality of the post 36. Each of the components isarranged so as to assure a proper vertical orientation. The retention ofboth the impact surface 56 (along with its attached receptacle 20),along with the placement of the hammer member 22 within the slot on thesecond tubular member 52, will assure that proper vertical forces areapplied to the fence post 36. The surfaces of the first tubular member50 and the second tubular member 52 can be used so as to allow the userto visually and parallelly align the fence post 36 with the surfaces.The receptacle 20 will have a longitudinal axis which is entirelyvertical. As such, this serves to properly maintain the post 36 in aproper vertical orientation. A maximum force is applied in a verticalorientation by virtue of the vertical alignment of the variouscomponents.

FIG. 2 is an end view showing the post driving apparatus 10 of thepresent invention. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the upright member 18is illustrated as having the second tubular member 52 telescopicallyreceived over the first tubular member 50. Various pins 54 areillustrated as engaged between aligned holes formed in the first tubularmember 50 and the second tubular member 52. As such, the second tubularmember 52 is securely mounted with respect to the first tubular member50.

In FIG. 2, the support member 42 is illustrated as affixed to a top endof the second tubular member 52. The sheave 24 is mounted to theunderside of the support member 42 and extends downwardly in spacedrelation to the surface 70 of the second tubular member 52. A slot 72 isformed longitudinally on the surface 70 of the second tubular member 52.The slot 72 bottoms out at end 74 so as to limit a downward travel ofboth the hammer member 22 and the receptacle 20. The line 26 isillustrated as affixed to the upper end of the hammer member 22 andextends over the sheave 24. The impact surface 56 is illustrated asreceived within the slot 72 and affixed to the upper end of thereceptacle 20. The hammer member 22 is illustrated as positioned in itselevated positioned in spaced relation to the top surface 58 of theimpact surface 56.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the second tubular member 52 and thehammer member 22. As can be seen, the slot 72 is formed through a wall78 of the second tubular member 52. A T-shaped member 80 is affixed tothe back of the hammer member 22 and is configured so as to extendthrough the slot 72. As such, the T-shaped member 52 is configured so asto retain the hammer member 22 adjacent to the outer surface 70 of thesecond tubular member 52 while allowing a free slidable movement of thehammer member 22 with respect to the second tubular member 52.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the receptacle 20 and the impactsurface 56. Once again, there is a T-shaped member 82 which extendsoutwardly from the back 84 of the impact surface 56. The T-shaped member82 will be similarly received within the slot 72 in the manner that theT-shaped member 80 is received in FIG. 3. The receptacle 20 has agenerally rectangular configuration and an interior 86 that is adaptedto receive an upper end of the post 36 therein. Within the concept ofthe present invention, if the fence post 36 is round, then thereceptacle 20 can also be round. Although it is desirable that thereceptacle 20 have a width or a diameter corresponding to the width ordiameter of the fence post 36, the present invention is suitablyadaptable so that a tight fit is not required in order to achieve theproper results. The larger surface of the impact surface 56 furtherassures a proper distribution of forces achieved when the hammer member22 is released. Since the receptacle 20 is centered on the impactsurface 56, the direct vertical force applied by the hammer member 22will result in a direct vertical transfer of forces onto the top end ofthe fence post 36. The repeated lifting of the hammer member 22 bypulling the line 26 and the releasing of the line 26 so as to drop thehammer member 22 will cause the impact surface 56, along with attachedreceptacle 20, to drive the fence post 36 a desired distance into theearth. After the fence post is properly driven, then the receptacle 20can be released from the upper end of the fence post 36 and the vehicle12 can be moved to another location so that another fence post can bedriven.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details ofthe illustrated construction can be made within the scope of theappended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention.The present invention should only be limited by the following claims andtheir legal equivalents.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for driving a post, the apparatus comprising: aframe having an upright member, said upright member having a slotextending longitudinally along a surface thereof; a receptacletranslatably positioned in said slot, said receptacle having an interioradapted to receive an upper end of the post therein; a hammer membertranslatably positioned in said slot in a location above saidreceptacle; a sheave affixed to said frame in a position above saidhammer member; and a line affixed to said hammer member and extendingover said sheave, said line having an end opposite said hammer memberadapted to be manually pulled so as to lift said hammer member upwardlyand to be released so as to cause said hammer member to contact saidreceptacle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, said frame comprising: a base,said upright member extending in transverse relation to said base; and asupport member affixed to an end of said upright member opposite saidbase, said sheave mounted to said support member.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, said base having an interior adapted to be attached to a towhitch of a vehicle, said upright member affixed to an end of said baseopposite the tow hitch.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a first angle member having one end affixed to said base and an oppositeend affixed to said upright member; and a second angle member having oneend affixed to said support member and an opposite end affixed to saidupright member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, said upright membercomprising: a first tubular member affixed to said base and extending intransverse relation to said base; and a second tubular member mounted intelescopic relation to said first tubular member so as to extendvertically upwardly relative to said first tubular member.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, said upright member further comprising: a pinengageable with said first and second tubular members so as to fix aposition of said second tubular member with respect to said firsttubular member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, said slot being formed insaid second tubular member, said support member affixed to a top of saidsecond tubular member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:an impact surface affixed to a top of said receptacle, said hammermember being translatable so as to impact said impact surface.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, said impact surface having a top surface having anarea greater than an area of a top surface of said receptacle.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, said receptacle being open at a lower end thereofand closed at an upper end thereof.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, saidline extending vertically upwardly between said sheave and said hammermember.
 12. An apparatus comprising: a vehicle having a tow hitchextending therefrom; a frame being affixed to said tow hitch, said framehaving an upright member, said upright member having a slot extendinglongitudinally on a surface thereof; a receptacle translatablypositioned in said slot, said receptacle having an interior adapted toreceive an upper end of a post therein; a hammer member translatablypositioned in said slot in a location above said receptacle; a sheaveaffixed to said frame in a position above said hammer member; and a lineaffixed to said hammer member and extending over said sheave, said linehaving an end opposite said hammer member adapted to be manually pulledso as to lift said hammer member upwardly and to be released so as tocause said hammer member to contact said receptacle.
 13. The apparatusof claim 12, said frame being removably affixed to said tow hitch. 14.The apparatus of claim 12, said frame comprising: a base, said uprightmember extending in transverse relation to said base; and a supportmember affixed to an end of said upright member opposite said base, saidsheave mounted to said support member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,said base having an interior, said tow hitch received in said interiorof said base, said upright member affixed to an end of said baseopposite said tow hitch.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, said uprightmember comprising: a first tubular member affixed to said base atextending transverse relation to said base; and a second tubular mountedin telescopic relation to said first tubular member so as to extendvertically upwardly relative to said first tubular member.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 12, further comprising: an impact surface affixed toa top of said receptacle, said hammer member being translatable so as toimpact said impact surface.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12, saidreceptacle being open at a lower end thereof and closed at an upper endthereof.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, said line extending verticallyupwardly between said sheave and said hammer member.
 20. The apparatusof claim 12, said hammer member having a weight of greater thantwenty-five pounds.